Near Miss: Defensive Driving
Good description of a response by an apparatus with two near misses. Here is the money quote:
It is our responsibility to always drive defensively with complete due regard for the public without exception. Never expect citizens to do what you think they should, despite the laws and rights. The few seconds lost by taking a cautionary approach can save hours of grief. When confronted with the decision to yield to emergency traffic or continue on their original path, some people will make the wrong choice.
Every apparatus operator should carry this in their wallet and read it once in awhile. I know that some of the volunteers on our department need to remind themselves of this concept.
Take a moment and think about how you drive when responding to an emergency. Do you drive with "complete due regard for the public without exception"?
Posted October 20, 2005 09:06 AM · Link
· Near Misses
